Tom Pankhurst's Guide to Schenkerian Analysis

Introduction to Schenkerian Analysis

• Heinrich Schenker (1868-1935), an Austrian musician, developed a theory of tonal music still influential today.
• The theory involves understanding music beyond its surface to see how it connects into larger spans.

Basic Concepts of Schenkerian Analysis

• Music is understood not just as a series of notes but as larger-scale shapes and patterns.
• Focus on musical phrases' direction and shape.

Methodology

• Music is grouped into elaborations:
  • Auxiliary (neighbor) notes, passing note progressions, and arpeggios.
• Patterns span larger passages beyond the immediate surface.

Example Explanation

• Passing-Note Progression: Example includes a progression from B♭ to G.
  • Surface is decorated with arpeggiations and passing notes.
  • Overall progression connects surface elaborations into a descending span.

Layers of Music

• Music is composed of layers:
  • Foreground: The surface of the music.
  • Middleground: Layers of elaborations.
  • Background: Deepest layer, simpler underlying progressions.

Melodic Figures and Harmonies

• Melodic figures as elaborations of harmonies.
• Example: Left hand arpeggiates an E♭ major tonic triad.
• Right hand's passing-note progression elaborates underlying tonic harmony.

Complexity and Insight

• Basic ideas are simple, but analysis can be complex due to music's complexity.
• Schenkerian analysis provides insights into the shape and structure of tonal music.

The Ursatz

• Ursatz: Basic model suggesting that music can be understood as elaborations of this model.
  • Two-voice structure that may appear reductive.
  • Emphasizes the essential simplicity of tonal music.
  • Analytical approach shows pieces as contrapuntal elaborations of a tonic chord.
• Focus on the composer's elaborations, not the analyst's reductions.
• Purpose: Use Ursatz to explore complexities by relating them to a simple model.

Conclusion

• Schenker's model provides a simplified framework to examine actual musical compositions.
• Analysis highlights both the simplicity and complexity inherent in tonal music.